Excuses – we’ve all made them (with varied success rates). The good news is, now there may be a scientific way to guarantee that yours will work every time!
New research from the Faculty of Philosophy at Cambridge University (UK) suggests that others are more willing to accept our excuses as genuine when the underlying intention was “morally adequate” – meaning, our heart was in the right place.
Researchers say the ‘Good Intention Account’ is used regularly in courts to get accused criminals off the hook (or at least a lesser sentence) but can prove successful in everyday situations too.
“Saying we were tired or stressed doesn’t absolve us from moral responsibility completely, though they do change others’ perceptions of what we owe to make up for it and how the offended party should feel about our wrongdoing”, said Dr Paulina Sliwa.
So, next time you’re spinning an excuse, just make sure it comes with a great backstory.
